Media Monday: Jack Broom, The Seattle Times

Rosalind Brazel /
July 2, 2013

Each Monday, we’re giving readers a chance to get to know the media a little better.

With a little flair.

Our goal is to give readers some insight into the work and work style of area journalists, and get to know a little bit about the person behind the byline. Start your week off with an online networking opportunity through our Media Monday blog post.

This Week: Jack Broom, The Seattle Times

Jack is a Seattle local. He’s been working on newspapers since the 1960s, starting at the school paper, “The Miter,” at Blanchet High School. He attended Western Washington University, was editor of the campus paper, “The Western Front,” and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1974.

Between his last two years at Western, he did a summer reporting internship at The Seattle Times (1973). From 1974 to 1977, he was a reporter at The Wenatchee World.

Since March of 1977, he has worked at The Seattle Times as a reporter and, for several years, an assistant city editor. He has received regional awards for spot news, feature writing and humor writing. As a general-assignment reporter, he has covered a wide range of stories and topics: Crime. Politics. Features. Public-opinion polling. Death penalty.

Q: What’s your favorite kind of story?

A: I like stories that tell us something we don’t know about something we do know. This could be a behind-the-scenes look at a local activity, organization or person.

Q: If you could have someone else’s job, what would it be?

A: Though I am thoroughly unqualified for the position, I would love to run MOHAI, the Museum of History & Industry.

Q: Finish this sentence: “A good PR person is …”

A: a) Honest b) Well-prepared (Sends out media info with a much lead time as possible) c) Not a carnival barker – does not say “You would be the perfect reporter for this” – especially when I can sense I’m the third or fourth reporter they’ve tried d) Able to help translate a client’s jargon into plain English

Q: What skills do new journalists need?

A: The ability to work as part of a team. The ability to use current technology and to adapt to technological changes.

Q: What hidden talent or skill do you have that viewers/readers don’t know about you?

A: I write song parodies — even had one recorded.

The PR Pro Takeaway: The most surprising tip from Broom is his advice to use current technology and adapt to changes. That’s what makes him a skilled veteran, an award winning journalist and a brilliant song parody writer, Weird Al Yankovic beware!